Behavioural Technical Foul on Player, Coach or Bench

What is a Behavioural Technical Foul?

shows some form of dissent (by word or action) towards a referee or their calls.

shows some form of disrespect (by word or action) towards match officials

Process to be followed

Warnings can be issued for the following:

Continuing to discuss a call after the referee has responded

Holding arms in the air following a call for a prolonged period of time

Attempting to demonstrate actions such as traveling etc.

Repeatedly asking questions, making comments, or gesturing in response to calls.

In cases like these, the referee will attempt to issue a warning to the player/coach although they are not required to do so.

In cases like these, the referee will issue a Behavioural Technical Foul without warning:

Wave offs, aggressive or excessive motioning of the arms

Aggressive hand claps directed at an official or showing resentment for a call or non-call

Running towards or aggressively approaching a referee

Shouting a reaction to a call or using profanity

Extended or prolonged complaining about a call, particularly after being told to stop

Not responding to a warning by repeating the action (or some other disrespectful action)

Three Step Process (applicable for championship level competitions):

Officials are encouraged to try where possible, to prevent from calling a technical foul by anticipating and reading the problem and consequently addressing the coaches behaviour before having to deal with it with a technical foul.

Officials are to consider using a 3-step process:

STEP 1:

Officials are encouraged to attempt to de-escalate the situation with effective communication techniques; clearly articulating the behaviour is not acceptable.

STEP 2:

If the inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour continues, the referee is to issue a warning.

This will involve the referee blowing their whistle and giving an obvious, clear and audible warning to the player / coach in a way that everyone knows a warning has been given.

The official will use words similar to “Coach / Player, your behaviour is unacceptable / inappropriate and this is a warning for you to stop that behaviour. If you continue, next time will be a technical foul.” The official is to ensure that their partners are aware of this warning.

At the same time, the official will reinforce this verbal warning with visual signals. This includes a ‘continuation / next time’ hand gesture and a “technical foul” signal.